Arctiidae

The Arctiidae are a large family of distinctive moths. It is a diverse group, containing more than 11,000 described species and is often today classified as a subfamily of Erebidae.

The family is known for their bright colours and includes the

Tiger moths

Lichen moths

Wasp moths

Some species are poisonous and use their colourful patterns as a warning to predators while others are known to mimic certain wasps and beetles e.g. lycids. Some adult moths also use clicks to evade bats.

Their larvae are often very hairy and a few are known as woolly bears.